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Tips for Choosing Farmhouse Outdoor Barn Lights

lakeside deck with seating, a fire pit, and a scenic view of the water and greenery, illuminated by two black barn-style hanging lights overhead

Here’s a little secret of the lighting world… you don’t need to have a barn to enjoy barn lighting. Kind of like me not having to get off the couch to enjoy a sports drink. Barn lighting as people know it (with the long, curved gooseneck design) is a classic for a reason – its solid good looks have stood the test of time and is the go-to design element for both residences and businesses alike.

So, what exactly is a barn light? At the core, it’s a downward-facing fixture (the light from the bulb shines downward only) with a wide, round shade that is supported either by an arm (for wall mount fixtures) or as a pendant light. What most people think of as a barn light is a gooseneck barn light, which extends straight out from the wall then curves upward before curving back down to the round shade.

I grew up on a farm in Western New York state, and I can tell you that on the farm life is all about function – and in the early 20th century family farms across the country began using these simple, utilitarian lights to light up their barn doors. The look caught on across the land, but the term “barn lights” was here to stay and today you’ll find “barn lights” on everything from industrial factories, loft apartments, commercial storefronts and yes, even the family farm.

As if the simple good looks of a gooseneck light weren’t enough, most barn outdoor lights comply with the Dark Sky lighting requirements (as their light is entirely focused downward) which limit light pollution, making them a perfect choice for both residential and commercial uses.

Although styles come and go (remember shoes with a goldfish in the heel?), classic designs like a gooseneck outdoor light are here to stay. Today you’ll find exterior barn lights illuminating garages, front doors, driveways, outdoor walls and even (gasp) indoors! Just because farmhouse outdoor lights are built to withstand the elements doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their crisp good looks on the inside of your abode… if you’re feeling guilty about it, spritz the tops with water every once in a while.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite uses for barn outdoor lights and get a little inspiration along the way…

Barn light fixtures for the front door

Outdoor scene of front door on modern farmhouse home, with stone tiled stoop adorned with two medium sized white planters with shrubbery in them on either side of the black door which is framed in white with sidelights on either side, and white walls from which hang two Progress Lighting District LED P5622-31 outdoor farmhouse lights on either side of the door

For those of you who love symmetry, you’re in luck! Adding a Progress Lighting District LED P5622-31 outdoor farmhouse light on either side of the door is a comforting way to greet your guests. The 8” wide fixtures are the perfect size for flanking a doorway, and their porcelain over aluminum construction will provide years of warmth to your front door.

Choose a larger size for off-center doors

Outdoor residential entrance with concrete floor, beige patterned mat in front of the door, various planters with local foliage, small stool with decorative lantern on it, cherry wood front door and sidelight, stucco wall with the number “50” brightly lit by a single Kichler Lighting Northland 49775BK outdoor wall lantern

Situations where your door is off-center scream for a single barn outdoor light that is a little bit bigger (this one is 10”)… selecting the Kichler Lighting Northland 49775BK outdoor wall lantern gives you a little more modern take with rounded details and an extended lip.

Spacing is key

Exterior of traditional residence with sage green walls, white trim and three Hinkley Lighting Foundry Classic 10342TK outdoor gooseneck barn lights above each window

Farmhouse barn lights love to be spaced evenly (remember, symmetry is your friend). These Hinkley Lighting Foundry Classic 10342TK outdoor gooseneck barn lights features knurled brass details perfectly complementing the textured black finish.

Farmhouse outdoor barn lights for your patio

Outdoor veranda shot with natural wood floors, wooden benches with black and white pillows, wooden supports and solid wood ceiling from which hang four Hinkley Lighting Foundry Classic 10483TK outdoor pendant barn lights

Whether hanging or wall mounted, not only do farmhouse exterior lights handle the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them, they look darned good doing it! With three 1-foot sections of mounting rods, the Hinkley Lighting Foundry Classic 10483TK outdoor pendant barn lights are easily adaptable to the right height on your patio.

Barn lights over garage doors

Residential exterior with concrete driveway, beige colored craftsman style home with two garage doors with a black entryway door between them, with three Kichler Lighting 49776BK outdoor barn lights over them

The minimum size we would recommend for a barn light over a garage door is 12”, with this 14” beauty at just the perfect size for these oversized garage doors. The Kichler Lighting 49776BK outdoor barn light provides classic styling with a modern flare that would look amazing in a coastal setting.

Outdoor lights inside? Yup!

Interior entryway of home with beige walls, wood doorway, potted plants, exposed wood beam ceiling and a Progress Lighting Cedar Springs P560091-030 outdoor barn light over the door

We’re huge fans of the Progress Lighting Cedar Springs P560091-030 outdoor barn light for the unusual collar section of the shade (which emits no light, so your sky remains dark). This farmhouse barn light looks amazing illuminating the entryway and is available in six colors (we’re partial to the unusual pistachio finish).

Paired Beauty

Home Office image showing natural wood floors, black metal chair with black cushion, wood and black metal desk on which sits two vases and a laptop PC with headset and a large painting, exposed white brick walls with another painting flanked by two Progress Lighting Tremont P560263-031 outdoor wall lanterns

The seedy glass and “just right” size of the Progress Lighting Tremont P560263-031 outdoor barn light fixtures make them the perfect choice for a home office. Again, whether the fixture is built to weather a storm doesn’t matter – great style belongs anywhere in your home!

Wrap-Up

You know what’s interesting about all these barn light ideas? Not a barn in sight! The classic design speaks for itself, and whether you’re outfitting an industrial loft, selecting lights for your coastal garage or outfitting your restaurant with client-attracting outdoor lighting, barn outdoor lights are the right choice.

Here at 1StopLighting, we have an unparalleled selection of lighting available, in stock and ready to ship, and all at the best prices on the Internet. Take a look!

Tips for Choosing Farmhouse Outdoor Barn Lights

Barn light fixtures for the front door

Choose a larger size for off-center doors

Spacing is key

Farmhouse outdoor barn lights for your patio

Barn lights over garage doors

Outdoor lights inside? Yup!

Paired Beauty

Wrap-Up

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Ideas & Guides

Product Ideas

Room Ideas

Seasonal Ideas

Product Spotlights